Photonic circuit with simplified coupler switch for implementing mapping between the input ports and the output ports

Abstract

According to the present invention, in an optical waveguide network connecting a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, a mapping set between a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports is implemented according to a control signal applied to a coupler switch to control the transmission of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides forming the optical waveguide network, while simultaneously providing a main channel with a relatively high transmission speed for transmitting video signals between a display source and a display sink and an auxiliary channel with a relatively low transmission speed for transmitting auxiliary signals for setting the main channel, by controlling the transmission of optical power crossing between a pair of first optical waveguides and a pair of second optical waveguides connecting the same display source and the same display sink together from the same coupler switch, thereby reducing the number of coupler switches for forming different optical power flows between a pair of first optical waveguides and a pair of second optical waveguides by half, and also providing a photonics circuit in which the overall control structure including a control unit and a control line for generating a control signal and outputting the generated control signal is simplified.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a photonics circuit, and more specifically, to a photonics circuit for distributing or routing auxiliary data regarding the setting of a channel for transmitting image data and image data between at least one or more display sources and at least one or more display sinks using an optical signal. Background Technology

[0002] Regarding methods for implementing data routing or distribution among multiple inputs and outputs, methods that utilize electrical signals for data routing, such as Ethernet switches, suffer from the problem of heat generation due to signal conduction and consequently high energy consumption. Consequently, research is currently being conducted on photonics circuits that use optical signals, rather than electrical signals, as a medium for information transmission to transmit or route data. The problem to be solved

[0003] One embodiment of the present invention includes a photonics circuit in which the number of coupler switches is reduced for implementing the transmission of different optical powers between first and second optical waveguides forming an optical waveguide network to implement a mapping set in an optical waveguide network connecting a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, and the overall control structure for generating and outputting control signals for the coupler switches is simplified. means of solving the problem

[0004] In order to solve the above problems and other problems, a photonics circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is,

[0005] Optical fiber for transmitting optical signals;

[0006] An input port forming a transmitting end side and an output port forming a receiving end side opposite to the transmitting end, forming a coupling with the optical fiber above, and an optical waveguide network connecting the input port and the output port; and

[0007] A coupler switch for controlling the transmission or optical coupling of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides forming the optical waveguide network, comprising: a through or bar state in which there is substantially no crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides by controlling the coupling efficiency between the first and second optical waveguides from an electrical input; a splitting or partial coupling state corresponding to partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides; and a drop or cross state corresponding to total crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides; wherein

[0008] The first optical waveguide comprises a pair of a first-1 optical waveguide and a first-2 optical waveguide, and the second optical waveguide comprises a pair of a second-1 optical waveguide and a second-2 optical waveguide.

[0009] The transmission of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide and the second-1 optical waveguide, and the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide, can be controlled together from the same coupling switch.

[0010] For example, the input port may include a grating coupler that forms a grating coupling with the optical fiber.

[0011] For example, the grating coupler can provide optical coupling from the core of a relatively wide optical fiber to the core of a relatively narrow optical waveguide.

[0012] For example, the above optical fiber is,

[0013] Forming a vertical fiber coupling positioned in a downwardly inclined position toward the grating coupler; or

[0014] While forming a horizontal fiber coupling arranged parallel to the grating coupler, an inclined surface for internal total reflection toward the grating coupler may be formed at the end of the optical fiber.

[0015] For example, the optical waveguide network connects an input port and an output port formed respectively on the first and second edge sides facing each other of the base substrate on which the optical waveguide network is formed, and

[0016] The above first and second optical waveguides are,

[0017] It may include a coupling section that extends parallel to a relatively close position while extending from the input port toward the output port, and a phase transition section that extends parallel to a relatively far position.

[0018] For example, in the phase transition section, the coupler switch may be formed to set a voltage that induces a phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides by applying an external electric field to at least one of the first and second optical waveguides.

[0019] For example, the transmission of optical power or optical coupling efficiency crossing between the first and second optical waveguides in the coupling section may be formed differentially according to the phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides caused by the voltage set from the coupler switch in the phase transition section.

[0020] For example, the coupler switch may receive first and second coupler control bits for applying different levels of voltage to cause different degrees of phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides in order to implement different optical power transmissions between the first and second optical waveguides, such as through without crossing, partial remaining and partial crossing, and full crossing.

[0021] For example, depending on the voltage set from the above coupler switch,

[0022] i) When a zero voltage is set from the coupler switch, the transmission of a drop or cross of optical power corresponding to a full cross of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port is implemented, and

[0023] ii) As the maximum voltage is set from the coupler switch, the transmission of optical power through or in a bar, with substantially no crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port is realized, and

[0024] iii) As the voltage between zero voltage and maximum voltage is set from the coupler switch, the transmission of optical power corresponding to a portion remaining and a portion crossing between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port can be implemented.

[0025] For example, at bit 0 of the first and second coupler control bits, the transmission of a drop or cross of optical power corresponding to a full cross of optical power is implemented while achieving phase matching between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port, and

[0026] In bit 1 of the first coupler control bit and bit 0 of the second coupler control bit, the transmission of optical power in a dividing or partial coupling state corresponding to a partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power is implemented while forming a phase mismatch that blocks the transmission of some optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port.

[0027] In bit 1 of the first and second coupler control bits, a through or bar state can be implemented in which there is substantially no transmission of optical power while achieving a phase mismatch that blocks the full transmission of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port.

[0028] For example, the above optical waveguide network is an NxN optical waveguide network that maps N input ports and N output ports to each other, and

[0029] The above 1-1 optical waveguide and 2-1 optical waveguide are optical waveguides that extend adjacently between two different input ports among N input ports and two different output ports among N output ports, and

[0030] The above first-2 optical waveguides and second-2 optical waveguides are optical waveguides that extend adjacently between another two different input ports among N input ports and another two different output ports among N output ports, and

[0031] The flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide and the second-1 optical waveguide, and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide, can be controlled together from the same coupler switch.

[0032] For example, the pair of the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide, and the pair of the second-1 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide, can connect an input port connected to the same display source and an output port connected to the same display sink.

[0033] For example, the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide transmit an image signal containing image data and an auxiliary signal containing auxiliary data between the same display source and the same display sink, and

[0034] The above-mentioned 2-1 optical waveguide and 2-2 optical waveguide can transmit an image signal containing another image data and an auxiliary signal containing another auxiliary data between another identical display source and another identical display sink.

[0035] For example, the optical waveguide network connects an input port and an output port formed respectively on the first and second edge sides that intersect at one corner of the base substrate on which the optical waveguide network is formed, and

[0036] A coupler switch may be provided that includes a movable coupler that implements an advance / retreat movement in an approach / retreat direction along an approach direction toward the intersection point of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, or a retreat direction away from the intersection point of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, in order to control the transmission of optical power or optical coupling efficiency between the first optical waveguide connected to the input port and the second optical waveguide connected to the output port.

[0037] For example, the above-mentioned movable coupler is,

[0038] i) At a first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides, between the first waveguide connected to the input port and the second waveguide connected to the output port, the transmission of optical power through or in a bar, which substantially has no crossing of optical power, is implemented, and

[0039] ii) At a third position closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides, the transmission of a drop or cross of optical power corresponding to a total cross of optical power between the first waveguide connected to the input port and the second waveguide connected to the output port is implemented, and

[0040] iii) At a second position between the first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides and the third position closest thereto, the transmission of optical power in a splitting or partial coupling state corresponding to a partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power can be implemented.

[0041] For example, the coupler switch can receive first and second coupler control bits for applying three different levels of control voltage so that the movable coupler is set from the first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides to the third position closest to it.

[0042] For example, at bit 0 of the first and second coupler control bits, the movable coupler is set to the first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides, and

[0043] In bit 1 of the first coupler control bit and bit 0 of the second coupler control bit, the movable coupler is set to a second position from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides, and

[0044] In bit 1 of the first and second coupler control bits, the movable coupler can be set to the third position closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides.

[0045] For example, the above-mentioned movable coupler is,

[0046] A first coupling rib extending parallel to the first optical waveguide to form an evanescent coupling with the first optical waveguide; and

[0047] It may include a second coupling rib extending parallel to the second optical waveguide to form an evanescent coupling with the second optical waveguide.

[0048] For example, the evanescent field leaking between the first optical waveguide and the movable coupler has an amplitude that decreases from the first optical waveguide toward the movable coupler, and

[0049] The evanescent field leaking between the second optical waveguide and the movable coupler may have an amplitude that decreases from the movable coupler toward the second optical waveguide.

[0050] For example, the above optical waveguide network is an NxN optical waveguide network that maps N input ports and N output ports to each other, and

[0051] It includes N first-1 optical waveguides and first-2 optical waveguides connected to the input port, and N second-1 optical waveguides and second-2 optical waveguides connected to the output port,

[0052] The flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide and the second-1 optical waveguide, and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide, can be controlled together from the same coupler switch.

[0053] For example, the pair of the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide, and the pair of the second-1 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide, can connect an input port connected to the same display source and an output port connected to the same display sink.

[0054] For example, the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide transmit an image signal including image data from the same display source and an auxiliary signal including auxiliary data, and

[0055] The above 2-1 optical waveguide and 2-2 optical waveguide can transmit an image signal containing image data directed toward the same display sink and an auxiliary signal containing auxiliary data.

[0056] For example, the above optical waveguide network is a 2Nx2N optical waveguide network that maps 2N input ports and 2N output ports to each other, and

[0057] The input ports and display sources form a 2:1 connection so that video signals and auxiliary signals output from N display sources are input to the 2N input ports.

[0058] The output ports and display sinks form a 2:1 connection so that video signals and auxiliary signals are output to the 2N output ports toward N display sinks, and

[0059] In order to implement the transmission of different optical power between adjacent first and second optical waveguides forming an optical waveguide network between the input port and the output port, according to a control signal applied to the coupler switch, a pair of video signals and auxiliary signals input through an input port connected to the same display source can be routed or distributed toward an output port connected to the same display sink.

[0060] For example, the above video signal is transmitted at a relatively high data transmission rate, and

[0061] The above auxiliary signal can be transmitted at a relatively low data transmission speed.

[0062] For example, the optical waveguides forming the optical waveguide network can provide at least two or more communication channels of different wavelength ranges.

[0063] For example, the optical waveguide forming the optical waveguide network has a profile of optical gain or optical loss having a full-width at half maximum (FWHM) that is attenuated to half the peak value of the center wavelength band from the center wavelength band forming a single peak toward both sides, and

[0064] The above optical waveguide can transmit different optical signals of different wavelength ranges spaced apart from each other within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM), with a wavelength separation band in between that considers the resolution for separating different wavelength ranges forming different communication channels to prevent cross-talk between them.

[0065] For example, different optical signals transmitted together through the optical waveguide may include optical signals of different transmission speeds.

[0066] For example, different optical signals transmitted together through the optical waveguide include a first optical signal transmitted at a relatively high speed and a second optical signal transmitted at a relatively low speed, and

[0067] In the profile of the optical gain or optical loss of the above optical waveguide, the wavelength range of the first optical signal has a low attenuation rate as it is relatively adjacent to the center wavelength range having a peak value, and the wavelength range of the second optical signal has a high attenuation rate as it is relatively far from the center wavelength range having a peak value.

[0068] For example, the resolution for separation between different wavelength bands forming the above different communication channels may correspond to the resolution of a wavelength selection filter for separating optical signals of different wavelength bands transmitted from the same optical waveguide, or the resolution of the wavelength selection filter plus a margin tolerance.

[0069] For example, the optical waveguide forming the optical waveguide network can transmit four different optical signals of different wavelength ranges separated from each other by a wavelength separation band within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM).

[0070] For example, four different optical signals transmitted together through the optical waveguide are,

[0071] A first high-speed channel and a second high-speed channel that transmit at relatively high speeds, and a first low-speed channel and a second low-speed channel that transmit at relatively low speeds are formed, and

[0072] In the optical gain or optical loss profile of the above optical waveguide,

[0073] The wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first and second high-speed channels has a low attenuation rate relatively adjacent to the center wavelength range having a peak value, and

[0074] The wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first and second low-speed channels can have a high attenuation rate as it is relatively far from the center wavelength range having a peak value.

[0075] For example, the wavelength bands of the optical signals assigned to the first and second high-speed channels are assigned to positions symmetric to each other with respect to the center wavelength band having the peak value, and

[0076] The wavelength ranges of the optical signals assigned to the first and second low-speed channels can be assigned to positions symmetrical to each other with respect to the center wavelength range having the peak value.

[0077] For example, the optical waveguide forming the optical waveguide network can transmit three different optical signals of different wavelength ranges separated from each other by a wavelength separation band within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM).

[0078] For example, three different optical signals transmitted together through the above optical waveguide are,

[0079] A first and second high-speed channel that transmits at a relatively high speed, and a low-speed channel that transmits at a relatively low speed are formed, and

[0080] In the optical gain or optical loss profile of the above optical waveguide,

[0081] The wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel has the lowest attenuation rate as it is closest to the center wavelength range having a peak value, and

[0082] The wavelength band of the optical signal assigned to the above low-speed channel is furthest removed from the center wavelength band having a peak value and has the highest attenuation rate, and

[0083] The wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first high-speed channel may have an intermediate attenuation rate, as it is farther from the center wavelength range having a peak value than the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel, but closer than the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the low-speed channel.

[0084] For example, the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first high-speed channel, the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel, and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the low-speed channel are assigned at positions asymmetric to each other with respect to the center wavelength range having the peak value, and

[0085] The wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the low-speed channel are assigned to a wavelength range of one region among the left half region and the right half region centered on the central wavelength range having the peak value, and

[0086] The wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first high-speed channel can be assigned to the wavelength range of the other region among the left half region and the right half region, centered on the central wavelength range having the peak value. Effects of the invention

[0087] According to the present invention, in an optical waveguide network connecting a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports, a mapping set between a plurality of input ports and a plurality of output ports is implemented according to a control signal applied to a coupler switch to control the transmission of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides forming the optical waveguide network, while simultaneously providing a main channel with a relatively high transmission speed for transmitting video signals between a display source and a display sink and an auxiliary channel with a relatively low transmission speed for transmitting auxiliary signals for setting the main channel, by controlling the transmission of optical power crossing between a pair of first optical waveguides and a pair of second optical waveguides connecting the same display source and the same display sink together from the same coupler switch, thereby reducing the number of coupler switches for forming different optical power flows between a pair of first optical waveguides and a pair of second optical waveguides by half, and also providing a photonics circuit in which the overall control structure including a control unit and a control line for generating a control signal and outputting the generated control signal is simplified. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0088] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration for implementing different optical power transmission between neighboring optical waveguides (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN) to implement mapping set between the multiple input ports (INP) and multiple output ports (OUTP) in a first type of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of a coupler switch (CS) illustrated in FIG. 1, and a diagram for explaining the configuration of a coupler switch (CS) including a phase shifter (PS) and a tunable coupler (CP). FIGS. 3a to 3c are drawings for explaining the ratio of optical power (Out1, Out2, see FIG. 2) that crosses between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) according to the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) caused between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS), and different drawings are shown for explaining the ratio of optical power (Out1, Out2, see FIG. 2) that crosses between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) according to the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) caused between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the magnitude of the voltage set at each different optical coupling efficiency (k). FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration for explaining the second type of the present invention, comprising an optical waveguide network (WN) that connects a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP), and a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) that form the optical waveguide network (WN) to implement a mapping set between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP). FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawings for explaining the operation of a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) according to different first and third positions (P3) set in the movable coupler (MOC) of FIG. 4. There are drawings for explaining a through or bar state or an OFF state of the coupler switch (CS) where no optical power crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the first position (P1) of the movable coupler (MOC), and different drawings for explaining a drop or cross state or an ON state of the coupler switch (CS) where all optical power crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the third position (P3) of the movable coupler (MOC). FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) according to different second and third positions (P2, P3) set in the movable coupler (MOC) of FIG. 4. It shows a dividing or partial coupling state in which some optical power remains and some cross occurs between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the second position (P2) of the movable coupler (MOC), and a drop or cross state in which all optical power cross occurs between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the third position (P3) of the movable coupler (MOC). FIGS. 7A to 7C are drawings for explaining the operation of a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) according to different first to third positions (P1, P2, P3) set in the movable coupler (MOC) of the coupler switch (CS) illustrated in FIG. 4. The operation includes a through or bar state in which no optical power crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the first position (P1) of the movable coupler (MOC), a dividing or partial coupling state in which some optical power remains and some crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the second position (P2), and the optical power between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the third position (P3) of the movable coupler (MOC). A diagram is shown to explain a drop or cross state where all intersections occur. FIGS. 8a to 8c are drawings for explaining three different states regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) forming an optical waveguide network (WN), each set by a coupler switch (CS). These three states are respectively illustrated in a bar state where there is no transmission of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), a partial coupling state where some optical power remains and some cross occurs between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and a cross state where all optical power cross occurs between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2). FIGS. 9a and 9b are drawings for explaining grating coupling between an optical fiber (F) through which an optical signal is transmitted and an input port (INP) (grating coupler), and different drawings for explaining vertical fiber coupling and horizontal fiber coupling arranged with different orientations of optical fibers (F) for each input port (INP). Figure 10 shows a diagram illustrating the grating coupling between the optical fiber (F) and the input port (INP) in the horizontal fiber coupling shown in Figure 9b. FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port (INP) or a grating coupler of an input port (INP) that implements coupling between a core of an optical fiber (F) with a relatively wide cross-sectional area and an optical waveguide (W) with a relatively narrow cross-sectional area. FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a base substrate (S, Si), a bottom oxide (BOX, SiO2) on the base substrate (S, Si), an optical waveguide (Si) on the bottom oxide (SiO2), and a cladding (SiO2, CL) that encloses the optical waveguide (Si) in a silicon-based silicon photonics circuit. FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a structure configured in a stack in which a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) forming a first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the same display source, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) forming a second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the same display sink are arranged vertically to each other, and a coupler switch (CS) configured or coupled to set the same state (bar, partial coupling, cross state) regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) is shown. FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a structure configured in an interleaved manner in which, in the second type of the present invention, a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) forming a first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the same display source, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) forming a second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the same display sink are arranged horizontally to each other, and a coupler switch (CSa, CSb, CSc) configured or coupled together to set the same state (bar, partial coupling, cross state) regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2). It is a city. Figures 15 and 16 respectively illustrate different drawings for explaining four main channels (Channel 0, 1, 2, Clock Channel, Lane 0, 1, 2, 3) with high transmission speeds and two auxiliary channels (SDA, SCL, AUX Channel) with low transmission speeds set between a display source and a display sink in the transmission of HDMI and a display port. FIG. 17 illustrates a diagram for explaining that optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to five channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W) in one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18 illustrates a diagram for explaining that, in one embodiment of the present invention, optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to three channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W), including two channels with high transmission speeds and one channel with low transmission speeds, according to their respective transmission speeds. FIG. 19 illustrates a diagram for explaining that, in one embodiment of the present invention, optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to two channels with high transmission speeds and two channels with low transmission speeds, as four channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W), according to their respective transmission speeds. FIG. 20 illustrates a diagram for explaining that, in one embodiment of the present invention, optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to three channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W), one channel with a high transmission speed and two channels with a low transmission speed, according to their respective transmission speeds. Figure 21 shows a profile illustrating optical loss or attenuation according to wavelength of an optical fiber (F, silica-based optical fiber). FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating edge coupling between an optical fiber (F) through which an optical signal is transmitted and an input port (INP) (edge ​​coupler), and is a diagram illustrating edge coupling different from the grating coupling or surface coupling shown in FIG. 9a and 9b. FIGS. 23 and FIGS. 24 each illustrate USB communication and Thunderbolt communication as embodiments of different communication protocols to which the optical waveguide network (WN) of the present invention can be applied. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0089] Hereinafter, a photonics circuit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0090] FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration for implementing different optical power transmission between neighboring optical waveguides (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN) to implement mapping set between the multiple input ports (INP) and multiple output ports (OUTP) in a first type of the present invention.

[0091] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a coupler switch (CS) illustrated in FIG. 1, and illustrates the configuration of a coupler switch (CS) including a phase shifter (PS) and a tunable coupler (CP).

[0092] FIGS. 3a to 3c are drawings for explaining the ratio of optical power (Out1, Out2, see FIG. 2) that crosses between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) according to the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) caused between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS), and different drawings are shown for explaining the ratio of optical power (Out1, Out2, see FIG. 2) that crosses between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) according to the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) caused between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the magnitude of the voltage set at each different optical coupling efficiency (k).

[0093] FIG. 4 illustrates a configuration for explaining the second type of the present invention, comprising an optical waveguide network (WN) that connects a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP), and a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) that form the optical waveguide network (WN) to implement a mapping set between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP).

[0094] FIGS. 5A and 5B are drawings for explaining the operation of a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) according to different first and third positions (P3) set in the movable coupler (MOC) of FIG. 4. There are drawings for explaining a through or bar state or an OFF state of the coupler switch (CS) where no optical power crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the first position (P1) of the movable coupler (MOC), and different drawings for explaining a drop or cross state or an ON state of the coupler switch (CS) where all optical power crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the third position (P3) of the movable coupler (MOC).

[0095] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) according to different second and third positions (P2, P3) set in the movable coupler (MOC) of FIG. 4. It shows a dividing or partial coupling state in which some optical power remains and some cross occurs between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the second position (P2) of the movable coupler (MOC), and a drop or cross state in which all optical power cross occurs between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the third position (P3) of the movable coupler (MOC).

[0096] FIGS. 7A to 7C are drawings for explaining the operation of a coupler switch (CS) that implements the transmission of different optical power between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) according to different first to third positions (P1, P2, P3) set in the movable coupler (MOC) of the coupler switch (CS) illustrated in FIG. 4. The operation includes a through or bar state in which no optical power crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the first position (P1) of the movable coupler (MOC), a dividing or partial coupling state in which some optical power remains and some crosses between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the second position (P2), and the optical power between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at the third position (P3) of the movable coupler (MOC). A diagram is shown to explain a drop or cross state where all intersections occur.

[0097] FIGS. 8a to 8c are drawings for explaining three different states regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) forming an optical waveguide network (WN), each set by a coupler switch (CS). These three states are respectively illustrated in a bar state where there is no transmission of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), a partial coupling state where some optical power remains and some cross occurs between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and a cross state where all optical power cross occurs between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2).

[0098] FIGS. 9a and 9b are drawings for explaining grating coupling between an optical fiber (F) through which an optical signal is transmitted and an input port (INP) (grating coupler), and different drawings for explaining vertical fiber coupling and horizontal fiber coupling arranged with different orientations of optical fibers (F) for each input port (INP).

[0099] Figure 10 shows a diagram illustrating the grating coupling between the optical fiber (F) and the input port (INP) in the horizontal fiber coupling shown in Figure 9b.

[0100] FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram for explaining the configuration of an input port (INP) or a grating coupler of an input port (INP) that implements coupling between a core of an optical fiber (F) with a relatively wide cross-sectional area and an optical waveguide (W) with a relatively narrow cross-sectional area.

[0101] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of a base substrate (S)(Si), a bottom oxide (BOX, SiO2) on the base substrate (S)(Si), an optical waveguide (Si) on the bottom oxide (SiO2), and a cladding (SiO2, CL) that encloses the optical waveguide (Si) in a silicon-based silicon photonics circuit.

[0102] A photonics circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention is,

[0103] Optical fiber (F) for transmitting optical signals;

[0104] Forming a grating coupling with the optical fiber (F), an input port (INP) forming the transmitting end side, an output port (OUTP) forming the receiving end side opposite to the transmitting end, and an optical waveguide network (WN) connecting the input port (INP) and the output port (OUTP); and

[0105] A coupler switch (CS) for controlling the transmission or optical coupling of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) forming the optical waveguide network (WN), wherein, by controlling the coupling efficiency between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from an electrical input, the coupler switch (CS) for implementing different optical power transmissions such as a through or bar state in which there is substantially no crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), a splitting or partial coupling corresponding to partial retention and partial crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and a drop or cross state corresponding to total crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2).

[0106] The first optical waveguide (W1) comprises a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2), and the second optical waveguide (W2) comprises a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2).

[0107] The flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1), and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2), are controlled together from the same coupler switch (CS).

[0108] In one embodiment of the present invention, an input port (INP) into which an optical signal is input from an optical fiber (F), an output port (OUTP) into which an optical signal is output, an optical waveguide network (WN) that connects the input port (INP) and the output port (OUTP) according to a set mapping, and a coupler switch (CS) for implementing a set mapping between the input port (INP) and the output port (OUTP) by controlling the transmission of optical power or optical coupling efficiency between different optical waveguides (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN) may be formed together on a base substrate (S, e.g., a silicon substrate) that forms a common support base.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input port (INP) may include a grating coupler that forms a grating coupling with an optical fiber (F), and in various embodiments of the present invention, depending on the type of grating coupling according to the arrangement between the input port (INP) and the optical fiber (F), the optical fiber (F) may form a vertical fiber coupling with a base substrate (S) on which the input port (INP) is formed (see FIG. 9a) or the optical fiber (F) may form a horizontal fiber coupling with a base substrate (S) on which the input port (INP) is formed (see FIG. 9b). For example, in the vertical fiber coupling (see FIG. 9a), the optical fiber (F) may be positioned in a downwardly inclined position toward the base substrate (S), and in the horizontal fiber coupling (see FIG. 9b), the optical fiber (F) may be positioned parallel to the base substrate (S), and an inclined surface (FS) may be formed at the end of the optical fiber (F) to induce downward total reflection toward the base substrate (S). Referring to FIG. 11, in one embodiment of the present invention, an input port (INP) or a grating coupler of an input port (INP) forming a grating coupling with an optical fiber (F) can implement optical coupling between a core with a diameter of approximately 10.4 μm and an optical waveguide (W) having a cross-section of 0.45 μm x 0.22 μm, and can implement coupling with relatively low optical loss while focusing an optical signal propagating along the core of the optical fiber (F) with a relatively wide cross-sectional area into the optical waveguide (W) with a relatively narrow cross-sectional area.For example, the optical fiber (F) is a single-mode optical fiber (F) for transmitting an optical signal in the 1550 nm wavelength range, and the diameter including the core and the cladding (CL) surrounding the core can be formed to be approximately 125 μm, and the diameter of the core where the propagation of the optical signal is concentrated can be formed to be approximately 10.4 μm.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 12, in one embodiment of the present invention, regarding the structure of an optical waveguide (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN), a BOX (bottom oxide, SiO2) is formed on a silicon substrate as a base substrate (S), and a core (e.g., Si) of the optical waveguide (W) and a cladding (CL, e.g., SiO2) surrounding the core (e.g., Si) are formed, and the propagation of an optical signal to the core (Si) of the optical waveguide (W) can be concentrated according to the difference in refractive index between the core (Si) of the optical waveguide (W) and the cladding (CL, SiO2) surrounding the core (Si). For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, an input port (INP) or a grating coupler of the input port (INP) that provides coupling of an optical signal between an optical fiber (F) and an optical waveguide (W) may be formed with a cross-section of approximately 12 μm x 20 μm and may be formed wider than the cross-section (10.4 μm diameter) of the core of the optical fiber (F) (see FIG. 11).

[0111] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, in one embodiment of the present invention, the input port (INP) and output port (OUTP) may be arranged in a plurality along the first edge (S1) and second edge (S2) of a base substrate (S, e.g., a silicon substrate), and, for example, each optical fiber (F) may form a one-to-one grating coupling corresponding to each input port (INP) so as to correspond to an array of input ports (INP) arranged in a plurality along the first edge (S1) side of the base substrate (S). For example, an optical signal transmitted through each optical fiber (F) may be transmitted through an input port (INP) that forms a grating coupling with each optical fiber (F) and through each optical waveguide (W) connected to each input port (INP).

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 4, in one embodiment of the present invention, the optical waveguide network (WN) can establish connections between N input ports (INP) and N output ports (OUTP) according to a mapping established between N input ports (INP) and N output ports (OUTP). To this end, a photonics circuit according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a coupler switch (CS) for controlling optical coupling efficiency between neighboring optical waveguides (W) to implement the flow of different optical power or the transmission of different optical power between neighboring optical waveguides (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN).

[0113] In one embodiment of the present invention, the coupler switch (CS) can implement different optical power flow or different optical power transmission between first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) in which the flow of optical power crossing through the coupler switch (CS) is controlled by receiving an electrical control signal (first and second coupler control bits b1, b2 described below) as input. In one embodiment of the present invention, the different optical power transmission or different optical power flow implemented between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) can be expressed in three different states as follows.

[0114] i) a through state (see FIG. 7a) or bar state (see FIG. 8a) in which there is no substantially cross-transmission of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2);

[0115] ii) Splitting (dividing, see FIG. 7b) or partial coupling state (see FIG. 8b) corresponding to partial residual and partial crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2);

[0116] iii) a drop (see FIG. 7c) or cross state (see FIG. 8c) corresponding to a total crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2);

[0117] In one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission or flow of optical power crossing between different optical waveguides (W) can be defined as three states—i), ii), and iii) as described above, and

[0118] The above i) through (see FIG. 7a) or bar state (see FIG. 8a), in which there is no substantially cross-transmission of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), may mean a state in which optical coupling efficiency is at its lowest (e.g., a state in which optical coupling efficiency is substantially close to zero) in which optical power is not substantially transmitted between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), or a state in which optical coupling is not substantially transmitted between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2). For example, it may mean a state in which an optical signal transmitted to the first optical waveguide (W1) is not transmitted to the second optical waveguide (W2), or even if transmitted to the second optical waveguide (W2), is transmitted with negligible optical power, and an optical signal transmitted to the first optical waveguide (W1) is transmitted as is through the first optical waveguide (W1).

[0119] The above ii) splitting (dividing, see FIG. 7b) or partial coupling (see FIG. 8b) state corresponding to partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) is a state of intermediate optical coupling efficiency in which optical power is partially transmitted between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) adjacent to each other. For example, between the first optical waveguide (W1) where an optical signal is transmitted and the second optical waveguide (W2) adjacent to the first optical waveguide (W1), a part of the optical signal transmitted to the first optical waveguide (W1) is transmitted to the second optical waveguide (W2), while the remaining part of the optical signal transmitted to the first optical waveguide (W1) continues to be transmitted through the first optical waveguide (W1) as is. And, iii) a drop (see FIG. 7c) or cross state (see FIG. 8c) corresponding to the total crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) is a state in which the optical coupling efficiency is maximized between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) that are adjacent to each other (for example, a state in which the optical coupling efficiency is close to 100%), and the optical signal input to the first optical waveguide (W1) at the input side is output through the second optical waveguide (W2) at the output side, and the optical signal that was transmitted to the first optical waveguide (W1) is transmitted to the second optical waveguide (W2) with the total optical power.In one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission of optical power or optical coupling efficiency between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) may be understood in terms of a transmission length or coupling length related to optical coupling efficiency, for example, the entire optical signal or optical power of the first optical waveguide (W1) can be transmitted to the second optical waveguide (W2) through a transmission length or coupling length that is inversely proportional to the optical coupling efficiency between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2).As described below, a coupler switch (CS) may be formed on at least one of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) to apply an external electric field and set a voltage to induce a phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2). For example, when the voltage to induce a phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) is not set from the coupler switch (CS), for example, when a zero voltage is set from the coupler switch (CS), the entire optical power may be transmitted between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) through a transmission length or coupling length related to the optical coupling efficiency between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and the phase difference or between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the coupler switch (CS) With a voltage set to induce phase mismatch, not all of the optical power is transmitted between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and the optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) (e.g., the transmission ratio of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2) can be expressed as a function of the phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2).

[0120] FIGS. 3a to 3c are drawings for explaining the ratio of optical power (Out1, Out2, see FIG. 2) that crosses between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) according to the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) caused between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS), and each different drawings are shown for explaining the ratio of optical power that crosses between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) according to the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) caused between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the magnitude of the voltage set by the coupler switch (CS) or the magnitude of the voltage set at different optical coupling efficiencies (k). Referring to FIGS. 3a to 3c, it can be seen that as the voltage set from the coupler switch increases, the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) increases, and the ratio of optical power (output Out1, Out2, see FIG. 2) of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) changes. It can also be seen that as the voltage set from the coupler switch (CS) increases, and as the phase difference (Δφ) or phase mismatch (Δφ) between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) increases from the set voltage, the ratio of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) (relative ratio of Out1 and Out2, see FIG. 2) decreases.

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the photonics circuit of the present invention may include different first and second types of embodiments depending on the configuration of an optical waveguide network (WN) that connects a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP), and a coupler switch (CS) that implements different optical power transmission (e.g., the ratio of optical power transmitted between adjacent first and second optical waveguides W1 and W2) between the optical waveguide network (WN) to implement a mapping set between the plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP).

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in an embodiment of the first type of the present invention, the plurality of input ports (INP) and the plurality of output ports (OUTP) may be formed on the sides of the first and second edges (S1, S2) facing each other of a base substrate (S) on which an optical waveguide network (WN) is formed, and the plurality of input ports (INP) and the plurality of output ports (OUTP) may be arranged along the first and second edges (S1, S2) facing each other of the base substrate (S). In addition, the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), which change the transmission of optical power that crosses each other through a coupler switch (CS) to implement mapping between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP) while forming the optical waveguide network (WN), may include a coupling section (CP, tunable coupler) that extends parallel to a relatively short distance position while extending from the input port (INP) toward the output port (OUTP) and a phase shift section (PS, phase shifter) that extends parallel to a relatively long distance position. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of optical waveguides (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN) may be generally extended parallel from an input port (INP) formed on the side of the first edge (S1) of the base substrate (S) toward an output port (OUTP) formed on the side of the second edge (S2) facing the first edge (S1) of the base substrate (S), and between adjacent optical waveguides (W), a coupling section (CP) extending parallel at a relatively short distance and a phase shift section (PS) extending parallel at a relatively long distance may be included.However, in various embodiments of the present invention, the coupling section (CP) and the phase transition section (PS) between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN) may not be distinguished from each other, for example, they may not be distinguished as a coupling section (CP) at a relatively near position and a phase transition section (PS) at a relatively far position, for example, the coupling section (CP) in which optical power is crossed according to the electric field of the evanescent field between adjacent optical waveguides (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN) and the phase transition section (PS) for inducing a phase difference or phase mismatch between adjacent optical waveguides (W) may be formed over substantially the same section, and for ease of understanding in this specification, adjacent optical waveguides (e.g., first and second optical waveguides W1, W2) forming the optical waveguide network (WN) are coupling sections in which optical power is crossed according to the electric field of the evanescent field at a relatively near position Although it is described as including a section (CP) and a phase transition section (PS) for inducing a phase difference or phase mismatch between adjacent optical waveguides (first and second optical waveguides W1, W2) located at a relatively distant position, the technical configuration of the present invention may not be limited to that illustrated.

[0123] In one embodiment of the present invention, a coupler switch (CS) may be formed to set a voltage that induces a phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) by applying an external electric field on at least one of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) that are adjacent to each other. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the coupler switch (CS) may apply an external electric field on one of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) or apply an external electric field of opposite polarity to both sides of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2). In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical signal traveling through the optical waveguide (W) may have its optical speed changed due to the influence of an external electric field, and, for example, a phase difference or phase mismatch may be caused between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) depending on a change in the wavelength of the optical signal or a change in the refractive index of the optical waveguide (W).

[0124] As illustrated in FIGS. 3a to 3c, the transmission of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) (the ratio of optical power transmission crossing between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2) may vary depending on the phase difference (ΔΦ) or phase mismatch (ΔΦ) between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), for example, depending on the voltage set from the coupler switch (CS) to induce the phase difference (ΔΦ) or phase mismatch (ΔΦ) between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), i) a through state (see FIG. 7a) or bar state (see FIG. 8a) in which there is substantially no optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and ii) a splitting of some remaining and some crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2). iii) a partial coupling state (see FIG. 8b) and iii) the transfer of different optical powers corresponding to a drop (see FIG. 7c) or cross state (see FIG. 8c) between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) can be implemented.For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a coupler switch (CS) receiving an electrical control signal to implement the transmission of different optical power between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) may receive a control signal including first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2, see FIG. 1) to set three different levels of voltage to form three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state, see FIG. 8a to 8c) or three different states; for example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a control unit (not shown) may be provided to output a control signal including first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2) to the coupler switch (CS) to implement a mapping set between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP); and the control unit (not shown) may set a connection between each input port (INP) and output port (OUTP) according to a user's setting or upon the initiation of an automatic setting that detects a connection status. A control signal can be generated and output toward each coupler switch (CS) implementing the mapping.

[0125] In one embodiment of the present invention, depending on the voltage set from the coupler switch (CS), three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state, see FIG. 8a to 8c) regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) may be set.

[0126] i) When a zero voltage is set from the coupler switch (CS), the transmission of optical power in a drop or cross state corresponding to a full cross of optical power is implemented between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the input port (INP) to the output port (OUTP) (there is no phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2),

[0127] ii) As the maximum voltage is set from the coupler switch (CS), the transmission of optical power in a through or bar state with substantially no crossing of optical power is realized between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the input port (INP) to the output port (OUTP) (a phase difference or phase mismatch capable of blocking all of the optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2),

[0128] iii) As a voltage between zero voltage and maximum voltage is set from the coupler switch (CS), the transmission of optical power in a splitting (diving) or partial coupling state corresponding to a partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the input port (INP) to the output port (OUTP) can be implemented (a phase difference or phase mismatch capable of blocking a portion of the optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2).

[0129] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, according to the first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2) received by the coupler switch (CS), or according to the first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2) output from the control unit toward the coupler switch (CS),

[0130] i) In bit 0 of the first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2), the transmission of optical power in a drop or cross state corresponding to the total cross of optical power is implemented while achieving phase matching between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the input port (INP) to the output port (OUTP) (there is no phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2),

[0131] ii) In bit 1 of the first coupler control bit (b1) and bit 0 of the second coupler control bit (b2), the transmission of optical power in a splitting or partial coupling state corresponding to a partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power is implemented while achieving a phase mismatch that blocks the transmission of some optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the input port (INP) to the output port (OUTP) (a phase difference or phase mismatch capable of blocking some of the optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2),

[0132] In bit 1 of the first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2), it is possible to implement through or bar state optical power transmission between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) where there is substantially no crossing of optical power, while achieving phase mismatch that blocks the entire transmission of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from the input port (INP) to the output port (OUTP) (phase difference or phase mismatch that can block the entire optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2).

[0133] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, in an embodiment of the second type of the present invention, the plurality of input ports (INP) and the plurality of output ports (OUTP) may be formed on the sides of first and second edges (S1, S2) that intersect each other at one corner of a base substrate (S) on which an optical waveguide network (WN) is formed, and the plurality of input ports (INP) and the plurality of output ports (OUTP) may be arranged along the first and second edges (S1, S2) that intersect each other of the base substrate (S). And, in relation to first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) in which the transmission of optical power crossing each other is changed through a coupler switch (CS) to implement mapping between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP) while forming the optical waveguide network (WN), the coupler switch (CS) includes a movable coupler (MOC) that implements an advance / retreat movement in an approach / retreat direction along a direction approaching toward the intersection point of the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the input port (INP) or a direction retreating away from the intersection point of the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP), so as to control the transmission of optical power crossing or optical coupling efficiency between the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP). It can be formed adjacent to the intersection point of the waveguide (W2).

[0134] In one embodiment of the present invention, the movable coupler (MOC) is positioned between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) at different distances from the intersection point between the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP), such as a first position (P1) farthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), a third position (P3) closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and a second position (P2) between the first and third positions (P3) from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), depending on the distance from the intersection point between the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP). Three different states regarding the transmission of cross-optic power can be set.

[0135] More specifically, the above-mentioned movable coupler (MOC) is,

[0136] i) At the first position (P1) furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), the transmission of optical power in a through or bar state with substantially no crossing of optical power is implemented between the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP).

[0137] ii) At the third position (P3) closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), the transmission of optical power in a drop or cross state corresponding to the total cross of optical power between the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP) is implemented, and

[0138] iii) At the second position (P2) between the first position (P1) furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) and the third position (P3) closest thereto, the transmission of optical power in a splitting or partial coupling state corresponding to a partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power can be implemented.

[0139] In one embodiment of the present invention, the movable coupler (MOC) can be set to three different levels of position according to distance from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), from the first position (P1) farthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) to the third position (P3) closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2). The coupler switch (CS) can receive a control signal including first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2) for applying three different levels of control signals or control voltages. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a control unit (not shown) may be provided to output a control signal including first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2) to the coupler switch (CS) to implement a mapping set between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP). The control unit (not shown) may, according to a user's setting or upon the initiation of an automatic setting that detects a connection status, each input A control signal can be generated and output toward each coupler switch (CS) that implements a mapping to establish a connection between a port (INP) and an output port (OUTP).

[0140] In one embodiment of the present invention, three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state) regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) may be set according to the first to third positions (P1, P2, P3) set from the coupler switch (CS), for example, according to a control signal including first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2) received by the coupler switch (CS), or according to a control signal including first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2) output from a control unit (not shown) to the coupler switch (CS), the first to third positions (P1, P2, P3) of the movable coupler (MOC) set from the coupler switch (CS) may be set as follows.

[0141] i) At bit 0 of the first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2), the movable coupler (MOC) is set to the first position (P1) furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and

[0142] ii) In bit 1 of the first coupler control bit (b1) and bit 0 of the second coupler control bit (b2), the movable coupler (MOC) is set to a second position (P2) from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and

[0143] iii) In bit 1 of the first and second coupler control bits (b1, b2), the movable coupler (MOC) can be set to the third position (P3) closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2).

[0144] In one embodiment of the present invention, the movable coupler (MOC) may include a first coupling rib (M1) extending parallel to the first optical waveguide (W1) to form an evanescent coupling with the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP), and a second coupling rib (M2) extending parallel to the second optical waveguide (W2) to form an evanescent coupling with the second optical waveguide (W2).For example, the movable coupler (MOC) can induce evanescent coupling between the first optical waveguide (W1) and the first coupling rib (M1) that extend parallel to each other as it approaches the intersection point where the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP) intersect each other (for example, as it approaches from the first position P1 in the bar state to the second position P2 in the partial coupling state or the third position P3 in the cross state), and more specifically, it can form a transmission or flow of optical power crossing to the first coupling rib (M1) of the movable coupler (MOC) from an electric field (evanescent field) leaking toward the first coupling rib (M1) of the movable coupler (MOC) with an amplitude or intensity that decreases exponentially with distance from the surface of the first optical waveguide (W1), and similarly, the movable As the coupler (MOC) approaches the intersection point where the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP) intersect each other (for example, as it approaches the second position P2 in the partial coupling state or the third position P3 in the cross state from the first position P1 in the bar state), evanescent coupling can be induced between the second optical waveguide (W2) and the second coupling rib (M2) that extend parallel to each other, and more specifically, a transmission or flow of optical power crossing to the second optical waveguide (W2) can be formed from an electric field (evanescent field) leaking toward the second optical waveguide (W2) with an amplitude or intensity that decreases exponentially with distance from the surface of the second coupling rib (M2).For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the movable coupler (MOC) may form an evanescent coupling with a first optical waveguide (W1) connected to an input port (INP) into which an optical signal is input, and may transmit some or all of the optical power of the optical signal of the first optical waveguide (W1) from the first optical waveguide (W1) to the first coupling rib (M1) of the movable coupler (MOC), and may form an evanescent coupling with a second optical waveguide (W2) connected to an output port (OUTP) into which an optical signal is output, and may transmit some or all of the optical power of the optical signal propagating along the second coupling rib (M2) from the second coupling rib (M2) to the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP). Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, the transmission of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) may include the transmission of optical power from the first optical waveguide (W1), which is connected to an input port (INP) into which an optical signal is input, to the first coupling rib (M1) of the movable coupler (MOC) through evanescent coupling, and the transmission of optical power from the second coupling rib (M2) of the movable coupler (MOC) to the second optical waveguide (W2) through evanescent coupling.

[0145] In one embodiment of the present invention, the evanescent field leaked between the first optical waveguide (W1) forming the evanescent coupling and the movable coupler (MOC) may have an amplitude or intensity that decreases, for example, exponentially, from the first optical waveguide (W1) toward the movable coupler (MOC, for example, the first coupling rib M1 of the movable coupler MOC), and the evanescent field leaked between the second optical waveguide (W2) and the movable coupler (MOC) may have an amplitude or intensity that decreases, for example, exponentially, from the movable coupler (MOC) toward the second optical waveguide (W2). Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, in implementing the transmission of optical power in three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state) between a first optical waveguide (W1) connected to an input port (INP) and a second optical waveguide (W2) connected to an output port (OUTP), by setting the position of the movable coupler (MOC) to different first to third positions (P1, P2, P3) according to the distance from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) through the forward and backward movement of the movable coupler (MOC) forming an evanescent coupling between the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the input port (INP) and the second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the output port (OUTP), the strength of the electric field leaking between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) and the movable coupler (MOC) decreases, for example, exponentially, depending on the distance from the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2). Depending on the strength of the leakage electric field, the transmission of optical power crossing between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) and the movable coupler (MOC) (transmission efficiency of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides W1, W2 and the movable coupler MOC) can be differentially set.

[0146] Figures 15 and 16 respectively illustrate different drawings for explaining four main channels (Channel 0, 1, 2, Clock Channel, Lane 0, 1, 2, 3) with high transmission speeds and two auxiliary channels (SDA, SCL, AUX Channel) with low transmission speeds set between a display source and a display sink in the transmission of HDMI and a display port.

[0147] In one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a first type of embodiment (see FIG. 1) and a second type of embodiment (see FIG. 4), an optical waveguide network (WN) that connects a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP), and a coupler switch (CS) for implementing the transmission of optical power in three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state) between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) that form the optical waveguide network (WN) to implement mapping set between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP), can output a video signal and an auxiliary signal transmitted through a plurality of input ports (INP) to a display source connected to a plurality of output ports (OUTP), and can enable playback of a sequence of video frames regarding the video signal through the display source. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, at least one or more display sources may be connected to the input port (INP), and at least one or more display sinks may be connected to the output port (OUTP). As described herein, the statement that at least one or more display sources are connected to the input port (INP) may mean that the display source is connected to the transmitting end side forming the opposite side of the optical fiber (F) that forms a grating coupling with the input port (INP), for example, connected to the input port (INP), and may not limit the meaning to, for example, that the display source is directly connected to the input port (INP).Similarly, the statement that at least one or more display sinks are connected to the output port (OUTP) may not be limited to the display sinks being directly connected to the output port (OUTP), but may comprehensively mean that the display sinks are connected to the output port (OUTP) through a transmission line, such as an optical fiber (F) or a conductive line connected to the output port (OUTP), for example. Furthermore, throughout this specification, the statement that a display source is connected to an input port (INP) or that a display sink is connected to an output port (OUTP) may comprehensively mean that at least one or more display sources are connected to at least one or more input ports (INP), or that at least one or more display sinks are connected to at least one or more output ports (OUTP).

[0148] In one embodiment of the present invention, a one-to-one or one-to-many connection relationship may be formed between a display source that generates and transmits a video signal and a display source that receives a video signal from the corresponding display source and plays back a sequence of video frames related to the received video signal. For example, even if a one-to-one connection relationship is formed between a display source and a display sink, multiple communication channels may be formed between these display sources and display sinks, and multiple communication channels may be formed to transmit different data. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a communication channel formed between a display source and a display sink may include a main channel (or main link) transmitted at a relatively high transmission rate for transmitting video signals and an auxiliary channel transmitted at a relatively low transmission rate for transmitting an auxiliary signal for setting the main channel (or main link) between the display source and the display sink. For example, referring to FIG. 15, in HDMI transmission, the main channel may include a total of four main channels, including three channels (Channel 0, 1, 2) for transmitting video data such as R, G, B or Y, Cb, Cr, and one main channel (Clock Channel) for a pixel clock. The auxiliary channel may include a total of two auxiliary channels, including a clock line (SCL) and a data line (SDA) for synchronization between the display source and the display sink.For example, referring to FIG. 16, in the transmission of the display port, the main channel may include four main channels (Lane 0, 1, 2, 3) for transmitting video signals and two auxiliary channels (AUX channels) for supporting bidirectional communication, including an auxiliary channel from the display source to the display sink and an auxiliary channel from the display sink to the display source. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, a total of six communication channels for different data communication (four main channels for transmitting video signals and two auxiliary channels for transmitting auxiliary signals) may be established between the display source and the display sink, and these six different communication channels may be transmitted through a smaller number of optical waveguides (W), for example, two optical waveguides (W), rather than six optical waveguides (W), using wavelength division multiplexing. That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, each optical waveguide (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) connecting the input port (INP) and the output port (OUTP) can provide a plurality of communication channels.

[0149] FIG. 17 illustrates a diagram for explaining that optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to five channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W) in one embodiment of the present invention.

[0150] FIG. 18 illustrates a diagram for explaining that, in one embodiment of the present invention, optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to three channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W), including two channels with high transmission speeds and one channel with low transmission speeds, according to their respective transmission speeds.

[0151] In one embodiment of the present invention, an optical waveguide (W) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) connecting an input port (INP) and an output port (OUTP) may have a profile of optical gain or optical loss having a full-width at half maximum (FWHM) that is attenuated (-3dB) from a center wavelength band (λ0) forming a single peak toward both sides according to the specific structure and scale forming the optical waveguide (W), and the optical waveguide (W) may transmit different optical signals of wavelength bands spaced apart from each other with respect to a wavelength separation band (B) that considers a resolution for separation between different wavelength bands forming different communication channels within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM), so as to prevent cross-talk between different communication channels. In accordance with the present specification, the center wavelength band (λ0) may refer to a wavelength band that forms a single peak in the profile of optical gain or optical loss according to the specific structure and scale of the optical waveguide (W). In one embodiment of the present invention, for an optical signal transmitted to the optical waveguide (W), attenuation of the optical signal can be suppressed by assigning a wavelength band of the optical signal transmitted to the optical waveguide (W) within a wavelength range that forms a full-width at half maximum (FWHM) that is attenuated (-3dB) to half the peak value of the center wavelength band (λ0) toward both sides from the center wavelength band (λ0) that forms a single peak (suppressing the attenuation of the amplitude or intensity of the optical signal to less than half the peak value of the center wavelength band λ0).

[0152] In one embodiment of the present invention, different communication channels of different wavelength ranges transmitted through the same optical waveguide (W) via wavelength division multiplexing can be separated into different communication channels by applying a wavelength selection filter. At this time, the resolution for separation between different wavelength ranges forming different communication channels to prevent cross-talk between different communication channels may correspond to the resolution of the wavelength selection filter for separating optical signals of different wavelength ranges transmitted from the same optical waveguide (W), or the resolution of the wavelength selection filter plus a margin tolerance. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a wavelength selection filter for separating optical signals of different wavelength ranges that form different communication channels may have a resolution of 5 nm, and in one embodiment of the present invention, different communication channels transmitted to the same optical waveguide (W) may be formed as optical signals of different wavelength ranges separated from each other by a wavelength separation band (B) of 10 nm, which is the sum of the resolution (e.g., 5 nm) of the wavelength selection filter and a margin tolerance within the wavelength range of the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) regarding the optical gain or optical loss of the optical waveguide (W).For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, different communication channels transmitted through the same optical waveguide (W) may be formed by five different optical signals of different wavelength ranges spaced apart from each other by a wavelength separation band (B) of 10 nm within a wavelength range of 50 nm corresponding to the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) for the optical gain or optical loss of the optical waveguide (W) (see FIG. 17). For example, a communication channel of a central wavelength range (λ0), two communication channels separated by a wavelength separation band (B) of 10 nm on one side of the central wavelength range (λ0), and two communication channels separated by a wavelength separation band (B) of 10 nm on the other side of the central wavelength range (λ0) may be allocated so that a total of five communication channels or five optical signals of different wavelength ranges may be transmitted through the same optical waveguide (W) (see FIG. 17).

[0153] In one embodiment of the present invention, different optical signals (different communication channels) transmitted together through the same optical waveguide (W) may include optical signals of different transmission speeds, and for example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a main channel (video signal) transmitted at a relatively high transmission speed and an auxiliary channel (auxiliary signal) transmitted at a relatively low transmission speed may be combined with each other and transmitted through the same optical waveguide (W). In one embodiment of the present invention, the main channel (video signal) transmitted at a relatively high transmission speed is relatively vulnerable to sensitivity problems where the signal peak is attenuated and the signal width spreads widely due to distortion of the transmission signal, inter-symbolic interference (ISI), delay dispersion, and impedance mismatch, making it difficult to detect at the receiving end, compared to the auxiliary channel (auxiliary signal) transmitted at a relatively low transmission speed. Therefore, the main channel (video signal) transmitted at a relatively high transmission speed can be formed as an optical signal in a wavelength band adjacent to a center wavelength band (λ0) that has relatively less signal attenuation within the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) regarding the optical gain or optical loss of the optical waveguide (W) (a wavelength band having a low attenuation rate relatively adjacent to the center wavelength band (λ0) is allocated to the main channel of the high transmission speed), and the auxiliary channel (auxiliary signal) transmitted at a relatively low transmission speed can be formed as an optical signal in a wavelength band relatively far removed from the center wavelength band (λ0) where signal attenuation is relatively severe. It can be formed (assigning a wavelength band with a high attenuation rate that is relatively far from the center wavelength band λ0 for an auxiliary channel of low transmission speed).

[0154] In one embodiment of the present invention, for six communication channels (four main channels with high transmission speeds—video signals—and two auxiliary channels with low transmission speeds—auxiliary signals) set between a display source and a display sink, optical signals of different wavelength ranges separated by a wavelength separation band (B) between them within the wavelength range of the full-width at half maximum (FWHM) regarding the optical gain or optical loss of the optical waveguide (W) can be transmitted through at least two optical waveguides (W), for example, when all six different communication channels are transmitted through one optical waveguide (W), cross-talk may occur between these different communication channels. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, six communication channels set between a display source and a display sink can be distributed and transmitted through two different optical waveguides (W), and by combining communication channels of different transmission speeds, for example, problems in high-speed transmission (problems of high-speed serial links) in which the signal peak is attenuated and the signal width is spread widely, making it difficult to detect (recognize) the signal at the receiving end can be avoided. For example, the six communication channels (four main channels with high transmission speeds and two auxiliary channels with low transmission speeds) set between the display source and the display sink are each divided into three communication channels, each including two main channels (video signals) transmitted at a high transmission speed and one auxiliary channel (auxiliary signal) transmitted at a low transmission speed, and the three divided communication channels can each be assigned to different optical waveguides (W), and a total of six communication channels set between the display source and the display sink can be set through two different optical waveguides (W) to which three communication channels are assigned.Referring to FIG. 18, in one embodiment of the present invention, three communication channels assigned to each optical waveguide (W) may be formed in different wavelength bands separated from each other by a sufficient wavelength separation band (B) while being within the wavelength range of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) regarding the optical gain or optical loss of the optical waveguide (W) (less than half the peak value of the center wavelength band λ0 that forms a single peak in the profile of the optical gain or optical loss, ex -3dB), and for example, a first high-speed channel and a second high-speed channel transmitted at a high transmission speed may be assigned to a wavelength band adjacent to the center wavelength band (λ0) which has relatively less attenuation, and a low-speed channel transmitted at a relatively low transmission speed may be assigned to a wavelength band separated far from the center wavelength band (λ0) which has relatively severe attenuation.In this way, in one embodiment of the present invention, first and second high-speed channels transmitted at a high transmission speed are assigned to wavelengths relatively adjacent to the center wavelength band (λ0) to avoid the problem of difficulty in detecting or recognizing a signal in the high-speed channel (high-speed serial link) (resolving the problem of difficulty in detecting or recognizing a signal due to signal attenuation and dispersion in the high-speed channel), and to reduce attenuation for low-speed channels where wavelengths relatively far from the center wavelength band (λ0) are assigned and attenuation is predicted to be relatively severe, for example, wavelengths are assigned to the first and second high-speed channels at asymmetric positions on both the left and right half regions based on the center wavelength band (λ0) so that wavelengths as close as possible to the center wavelength band (λ0) can be assigned while maintaining a sufficient wavelength separation band (B) between them to suppress cross-talk with the first and second high-speed channels, and wavelengths are assigned to the right half region to which the second high-speed channel, which is relatively skewed toward the center wavelength band (λ0) for the low-speed channel, are assigned, so that, for example, second By allocating a wavelength band adjacent to the center wavelength band (λ0) to the second high-speed channel while maintaining a sufficient wavelength separation band (B) to suppress cross-talk with the high-speed channel, the low-speed channel allocated from the second high-speed channel with the wavelength separation band (B) in between can also be allocated a wavelength band relatively adjacent to the center wavelength band (λ0).In various embodiments of the present invention, for the first and second high-speed channels, among the left half region and the right half region based on the center wavelength band (λ0), a wavelength band skewed relatively toward the center wavelength band (λ0) may be assigned in one region (e.g., the right half region), and a wavelength band skewed relatively toward the opposite side of the center wavelength band (λ0) may be assigned in the other region (the left half region). Among the left half region and the right half region, each assigned a different wavelength band for the first and second high-speed channels, a wavelength band of the low-speed channel may be assigned in the region (the right half region) where a wavelength band skewed relatively toward the center wavelength band (λ0) is assigned.

[0155] Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, six communication channels set between a display source and a display sink can be evenly allocated to two different optical waveguides (W), and three communication channels can be allocated to each optical waveguide (W). More specifically, for two main channels (video signals) of high transmission speed allocated to each optical waveguide (W), two wavelength bands with less attenuation that are relatively adjacent to a center wavelength band (λ0) forming a single peak in the optical gain or optical loss profile can be allocated, and for one auxiliary channel (auxiliary signal) of low transmission speed allocated to each optical waveguide (W), one wavelength band with severe attenuation that is relatively far from the center wavelength band (λ0) can be allocated, and a wavelength band in either the left half region or the right half region where a wavelength band relatively close to the center wavelength band (λ0) is allocated can be allocated.

[0156] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a structure configured in a stack in which a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) forming a first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the same display source, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) forming a second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the same display sink are arranged vertically to each other, and a coupler switch (CS) configured or coupled to set the same state (bar, partial coupling, cross state) regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) is shown.

[0157] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a structure configured in an interleaved manner in which, in the second type of the present invention, a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) forming a first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the same display source, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) forming a second optical waveguide (W2) connected to the same display sink are arranged horizontally to each other, and a coupler switch (CSa, CSb, CSc) configured or coupled together to set the same state (bar, partial coupling, cross state) regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2). It is a city.

[0158] In one embodiment of the present invention, which includes a first type of embodiment (see FIG. 13) and a second type of embodiment (see FIG. 14), an optical waveguide network (WN) connecting a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP) can establish a connection state such as one-to-many or many-to-many between a plurality of display sources and a plurality of display sinks, for example, when considering only a one-to-one connection between the same display source and the same display sink separately, six communication channels established between the same display source and the same display sink can be formed by two different optical waveguides (W), for example, six communication channels established between the same display source and the same display sink can be established through two different optical waveguides (W) connecting two input ports (INP) connected to the same display source and two output ports (OUTP) connected to the same display sink.

[0159] In one embodiment of the present invention, in order to implement a mapping set between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP), in first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) in which the transmission of optical power from a coupler switch (CS) to three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state) is implemented, the first optical waveguide (W1) may include a pair of a first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and a first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2), and the second optical waveguide (W2) may include a pair of a second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and a second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2). For example, the pair of the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) may form six communication channels set between the same display source and the same display sink, and similarly, A pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) forming a second optical waveguide (W2) can form six communication channels established between the same display source and the same display sink. In addition, in one embodiment of the present invention, the flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can be controlled together from the same coupler switch (CS), and for example, the connection state between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the connection state between the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can be established from the same coupler switch (CS).For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, if the same display source, to which a pair of a first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and a first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) forming a first optical waveguide (W1) is connected, and the same display sink, to which a pair of a second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and a second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) forming a second optical waveguide (W2) is connected, are mapped to each other as connection targets, then the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-2) may be connected to the same state of partial coupling state or cross state, rather than a bar state, from the same coupler switch (CS), and otherwise, the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the first-2 optical waveguide If the same display source to which a pair of waveguides (W1-2) are connected, and the same display sink to which a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides forming a second optical waveguide (W2) are connected are mapped to each other as unconnected targets, then the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1), and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) may not be connected to the same state of a bar state, rather than a partial coupling state or a cross state, from the same coupler switch (CS).For example, referring to FIG. 14, in the pair of first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) of the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the same display source and the pair of second-1 optical waveguide and second-2 optical waveguide of the second optical waveguide connected to the same display sink, a coupler switch (CSa) may be provided to be configured or coupled together to set the same state (bar, partial coupling, cross state) regarding the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2), and other coupler switches (CSb, CSc) may also be configured or coupled together to set the same state regarding the transmission of optical power between adjacent pairs of optical waveguides.

[0160] In this way, in one embodiment of the present invention, the fact that the optical power transmission or optical coupling efficiency of the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) is set to three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state) from the coupler switch (CS) may mean that the optical power transmission and optical coupling efficiency are set to one of three different states (bar, partial coupling, cross state) between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), from the same coupler switch (CS).

[0161] At this time, the pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) connected to the same display source may be formed at adjacent locations. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) connected to the same display source may be formed vertically in a stacked manner relative to each other (see FIG. 13) or horizontally in an interleaved manner relative to each other (see FIG. 14), and may be formed adjacent to each other.

[0162] In the first type of embodiment of the present invention (see FIG. 13), a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) connected to the same display source may be formed in a stacked manner vertically relative to each other, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) connected to the same display sink may be formed in a stacked manner vertically relative to each other. And, as such, a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) are formed at adjacent positions, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) are formed at adjacent positions, so that the transmission of optical power between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), can be set to the same state (any one of bar, partial coupling, or cross state) from the same coupler switch (CS). However, as previously described, in the first type of embodiment (see FIG. 13), the pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) connected to the same display source, and the pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) connected to the same display sink may be formed in a stacked form vertically relative to each other or in an interleaved form horizontally relative to each other.

[0163] In a second type of embodiment of the present invention (see FIG. 14), a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) connected to the same display source may be formed horizontally interleaved with respect to each other, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) connected to the same display sink may be formed horizontally interleaved with respect to each other. And, as such, a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) are formed at adjacent positions, and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) are formed at adjacent positions, so that the transmission of optical power between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), and between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), can be set to the same state (any one of bar, partial coupling, or cross state) from the same coupler switch (CS). However, as previously described, in the second type of embodiment (see FIG. 14), the pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) connected to the same display source, and the pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) connected to the same display sink may be formed in a stacked form vertically relative to each other or in an interleaved form horizontally relative to each other.

[0164] In one embodiment of the present invention, six communication channels having the same display source can be equally allocated to a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) connected to the same display source, and a total of three communication channels including two main channels (video signals) with a high transmission speed and one auxiliary channel (auxiliary signal) with a low transmission speed can be allocated to each pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2). Similarly, in a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) connected to the same display sink, six communication channels with the same display sink as one end may be evenly allocated, and a total of three communication channels including two main channels (video signals) with a high transmission speed and one auxiliary channel (auxiliary signal) with a low transmission speed may be allocated to each pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2).

[0165] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fact that the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) forming the first optical waveguide (W1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) forming the second optical waveguide (W2) are set to the same state (bar, partial coupling, cross state) from the same coupler switch (CS) may include, for example, that the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) are set to the same state from a single coupler switch (CS) formed as a physically identical entity, and furthermore, the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) Even if the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) are set to the same state from a coupler switch (CS) formed of physically separated different entities, the coupler switches (CS) formed of different entities may be electrically connected to each other so that the same control signal (a control signal including first and second coupler control bits b1 and b2) can be received for the coupler switches (CS) of these physically separated different entities.

[0166] In one embodiment of the present invention, an optical waveguide network (WN) that connects a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP) to each other may form four main channels for video signals and two auxiliary channels for auxiliary signals to mediate the transmission of video signals and auxiliary signals between a display source connected to an input port (INP) and a display sink connected to an output port (OUTP). As previously described, a total of six channels may be formed through two optical waveguides (W) each assigned two main channels and one auxiliary channel. As shown in FIG. 18, different wavelength bands may be assigned to the main channels with a high transmission speed and the auxiliary channels with a low transmission speed assigned to each optical waveguide (W), taking into account signal attenuation.

[0167] In various embodiments of the present invention, the optical waveguide network (WN) may provide six channels for video signals and auxiliary signals, and each optical waveguide (W) may be assigned a combination of channels of different transmission speeds (a combination of a channel of relatively high transmission speed and a channel of relatively low transmission speed) in consideration of the problem of signal detection becoming difficult due to the influence of signal attenuation, for example, signal attenuation and dispersion of a channel of high transmission speed (high-speed serial link). For example, within the wavelength range of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) in the optical gain or optical loss profile of the optical waveguide (W), a wavelength band adjacent to the center wavelength band (λ0) forming a single peak is assigned to the channel of relatively high transmission speed, and a wavelength band relatively far from the center wavelength band (λ0) forming a single peak is assigned to the channel of relatively low transmission speed, thereby avoiding the problem of signal detection becoming difficult due to signal attenuation in a high-speed serial link, while suppressing cross-talk between different wavelength bands through wavelength division multiplexing, and a single optical Multiple communication channels can be transmitted together through the waveguide (W).

[0168] FIG. 19 illustrates a diagram for explaining that, in one embodiment of the present invention, optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to two channels with high transmission speeds and two channels with low transmission speeds, as four channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W), according to their respective transmission speeds.

[0169] FIG. 20 illustrates a diagram for explaining that, in one embodiment of the present invention, optical signals of different wavelength ranges are assigned to three channels assigned to an optical waveguide (W), one channel with a high transmission speed and two channels with a low transmission speed, according to their respective transmission speeds.

[0170] Figure 21 shows a profile illustrating optical loss or attenuation according to wavelength of an optical fiber (F, silica-based optical fiber).

[0171] As illustrated in FIG. 19, in an embodiment in which four different communication channels are formed through a single optical waveguide (W), two channels with a relatively high transmission speed and two channels with a low transmission speed can be combined. In this case, for the two channels with a high transmission speed, wavelengths relatively close to the center wavelength band (λ0) can be assigned in the left half and right half regions centered on the center wavelength band (λ0), and wavelengths at symmetrical positions centered on the center wavelength band (λ0) can be assigned. For the two channels with a low transmission speed, wavelengths relatively far from the center wavelength band (λ0) can be assigned in the left half and right half regions centered on the center wavelength band (λ0), and wavelengths at symmetrical positions centered on the center wavelength band (λ0) can be assigned.

[0172] As illustrated in FIG. 20, in an embodiment in which three different communication channels are formed through a single optical waveguide (W), a center wavelength band (λ0) forming a single peak can be assigned to one channel with a high transmission speed, and wavelength bands at symmetrical positions in the left and right half regions centered on the single peak can be assigned to two channels with relatively low transmission speeds. For example, in an embodiment in which an odd number of communication channels, such as three or five different ones, are formed through a single optical waveguide (W) (see FIG. 17 and FIG. 20), a center wavelength band (λ0) with the least signal attenuation can be assigned to one channel with a high transmission speed.

[0173] In one embodiment of the present invention, in the optical gain or optical loss profile of the optical waveguide (W), the center wavelength band (λ0) forming a single peak can be set to a wavelength band forming a window of relatively small optical loss by referring to the profile of optical loss of the optical fiber (F) connected to the input port (INP) of the optical waveguide network (WN) formed by the optical waveguide (W) (see FIG. 21), for example, it can be set to a wavelength band such as 850 nm, 1310 nm, or 1550 nm. In one embodiment of the present invention, the optical loss of the optical fiber (F) can be suppressed for an optical signal of a selected wavelength band with a wavelength separation band (B) between them, within a wavelength range of approximately 50 nm that forms a full width at half maximum (FWHM) from the center wavelength band (λ0) set to form a window of relatively small optical loss.

[0174] In one embodiment of the present invention, in a profile regarding optical gain or optical loss of an optical waveguide (W), allocating wavelength bands separated from each other by a wavelength separation band (B) between them within a wavelength range forming a full width at half maximum (FWHM) to different communication channels may mean allocating different wavelength bands with a minimum wavelength separation band (B, e.g., 10 nm) between them that can suppress cross-talk between communication channels (optical signals) of different wavelength bands, and rather than meaning that the wavelength separation band (B) interposed between different wavelength bands allocated to each different communication channel is limited to a constant value, it may mean allocating different wavelength bands with a minimum wavelength separation band (B, e.g., 10 nm) between them that can suppress cross-talk between them.

[0175] A photonics circuit according to another aspect of the present invention is,

[0176] Optical fiber (F) for transmitting optical signals;

[0177] An input port (INP) forming a transmitting end side and forming a coupling with the optical fiber (F), an output port (OUTP) forming a receiving end side opposite to the transmitting end, and an optical waveguide network (WN) connecting the input port (INP) and the output port (OUTP); and

[0178] A coupler switch (CS) for controlling the transmission or optical coupling of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) forming the optical waveguide network (WN), wherein, by controlling the coupling efficiency between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) from an electrical input, the coupler switch (CS) for implementing different optical power transmissions, such as a through or bar state in which there is substantially no crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), a splitting or partial coupling state corresponding to partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2), and a drop or cross state corresponding to total crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2); wherein

[0179] The first optical waveguide (W1) comprises a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2), and the second optical waveguide (W2) comprises a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2).

[0180] At least one single optical waveguide (W) among the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1), the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2), the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1), and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) has a profile of optical gain or optical loss having a full-width at half maximum (FWHM) that is attenuated to half the peak value of the center wavelength band from the center wavelength band (λ0) forming a single peak toward both sides.

[0181] The single optical waveguide (W) can transmit different optical signals of different wavelength ranges separated from each other by a wavelength separation band (B) that takes into account the resolution for separation between different wavelength ranges forming different communication channels within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM).

[0182] For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the optical waveguide network (WN) can connect between a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP), wherein each optical waveguide (W) forming the optical waveguide network (WN), that is, the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) forming the first optical waveguide (W1), and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) forming the second optical waveguide (W2), each optical waveguide (W, corresponding to a single optical waveguide in the claims), may include two high-speed channels (video signal transmission) with a high transmission speed and one low-speed channel (auxiliary signal transmission) with a low transmission speed, so that each optical waveguide (W) can form three different communication channels, and with reference to FIG. 13, the first optical waveguide (W1) The first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) formed can each transmit two high-speed channels with a relatively high transmission speed and one low-speed channel with a relatively low transmission speed, and accordingly, the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W2-1) together can form a total of six communication channels including four high-speed channels for video signals and two low-speed channels for auxiliary signals between the same display source and the same display sink. Additionally, referring to FIG. 13 (Type 1), the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can each transmit two high-speed channels with a relatively high transmission speed and one low-speed channel with a relatively low transmission speed, and accordingly, the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) together can form a total of six communication channels including four high-speed channels for another video signal and two low-speed channels for another auxiliary signal between another identical display source and another identical display sink.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 14 (Type 2), the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W2-1) each transmit two high-speed channels with a relatively high transmission speed and one auxiliary channel with a relatively low transmission speed, so that the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) together can form a total of six communication channels including four high-speed channels for video signals and two low-speed channels for auxiliary signals from the same display source. Additionally, referring to FIG. 14 (Type 2), the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can each transmit two high-speed channels with a relatively high transmission speed and one low-speed channel with a relatively low transmission speed, and accordingly, the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) together can form a total of six communication channels including four high-speed channels for video signals directed toward the same display sink and two low-speed channels for auxiliary signals.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 13 (Type 1) and FIG. 14 (Type 2), in one embodiment of the present invention, the optical waveguide network may be a 2Nx2N optical waveguide network that maps 2N input ports and 2N output ports to each other, and

[0185] The input ports (INP) and display sources can form a 2:1 connection so that video signals and auxiliary signals output from N display sources are input to the 2N input ports (INP).

[0186] The output ports (OUTP) and the display sinks can form a 2:1 connection so that video signals and auxiliary signals are output to the 2N output ports (OUTP) toward N display sinks, and

[0187] According to a control signal applied to the coupler switch (CS) to implement the transmission of different optical power between adjacent first and second optical waveguides (W1, W2) forming an optical waveguide network (WN) between the input port (INP) and the output port (OUTP), the optical waveguide network (WN) can route or distribute pairs of video signals and auxiliary signals input through the input port (INP) connected to the same display source toward the output port (OUTP) connected to the same display sink. To this end, the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1), and the transmission of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can be controlled together from the same coupling switch (CS).

[0188] Referring to FIG. 13 (Type 1), the optical waveguide network (WN) may be an NxN optical waveguide network (WN) that maps N input ports (INP) and N output ports (OUTP) to each other, and the 1-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the 2-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) may be optical waveguides (W) that extend adjacently between two different input ports (INP) among N input ports (INP) and two different output ports (OUTP) among N output ports (OUTP).

[0189] The above first-2 optical waveguide (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) may be optical waveguides (W) connected adjacently between another two different input ports (INP) among N input ports (INP) and another two different output ports (OUTP) among N output ports (OUTP).

[0190] The flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1), and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can be controlled together from the same coupler switch (CS).

[0191] Referring to FIG. 13 (Type 1), a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2) can connect an input port (INP) connected to the same display source and an output port (OUTP) connected to the same display sink, and similarly, a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) can connect another input port (INP) connected to the same display source and an output port (OUTP) connected to the same display sink. For example, the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) can transmit an image signal containing image data and an auxiliary signal containing auxiliary data between the same display source and the same display sink, and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can transmit an image signal containing another image data and an auxiliary signal containing another auxiliary data between another same display source and another same display sink.

[0192] Referring to FIG. 14 (Type 2), the optical waveguide network (WN) may be an NxN optical waveguide network that maps N input ports (INP) and N output ports (OUTP) to each other, and

[0193] It may include N first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2, above, first optical waveguide W1) connected to the input port (INP), and N second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2, above, second optical waveguide W2) connected to the output port (OUTP). That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the optical waveguide (W) connected to the input port (INP) may be defined as the first optical waveguide (W1), and the optical waveguide (W) connected to the output port (OUTP) may be defined as the second optical waveguide (W2). At this time, the flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1), and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can be controlled together from the same coupler switch (CS).

[0194] Referring to FIG. 14 (Type 2), a pair of first-1 optical waveguides (W1-1) and first-2 optical waveguides (W1-2), and a pair of second-1 optical waveguides (W2-1) and second-2 optical waveguides (W2-2) can connect an input port (INP) connected to the same display source and an output port (OUTP) connected to the same display sink. For example, the first-1 optical waveguide (W1-1) and the first-2 optical waveguide (W1-2) can transmit an image signal containing image data from the same display source and an auxiliary signal containing auxiliary data, and the second-1 optical waveguide (W2-1) and the second-2 optical waveguide (W2-2) can transmit an image signal containing image data directed toward the same display sink and an auxiliary signal containing auxiliary data.

[0195] FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating edge coupling between an optical fiber (F) through which an optical signal is transmitted and an input port (INP) (edge ​​coupler), and is a diagram illustrating edge coupling different from the grating coupling or surface coupling shown in FIG. 9a and 9b.

[0196] In one embodiment of the present invention, the input port (INP) may include an edge coupler that forms an in-plane coupling with an optical fiber (F). In various embodiments of the present invention, depending on the type of optical coupler according to the arrangement between the input port (INP) and the optical fiber (F), the optical fiber (F) may be placed on a base substrate (S) on which the input port (INP) is formed, for example, the optical fiber (F) may be placed at a level away from the base substrate (S) on which the input port (INP) is formed (out-of-plane coupling, surface coupling, or grating coupling). Depending on the orientation of the optical fiber (F) relative to the base substrate (S), the optical fiber (F) may be placed in a downward orientation toward the base substrate (S) to form a vertical fiber coupling with the base substrate (S) on which the input port (INP) is formed (see FIG. 9a), or the optical fiber (F) may be placed in a parallel orientation with the base substrate (S) to form a horizontal fiber coupling with the base substrate (S) on which the input port (INP) is formed. (See FIG. 9b), or the optical fiber (F) may be butt-coupled to face the facet of the optical waveguide of the base substrate (S) to form in-plane coupling, and an optical signal from the optical fiber (F) may be guided along the optical waveguide (W, Si Waveguide) of the base substrate (S). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a core with a diameter of approximately 10.4 μm and 0.45 μm x 0.In edge coupling for implementing optical coupling between optical waveguides (W) having a cross-section of 22 μm, if the optical fiber (F) and the optical waveguide of the base substrate (S) are directly butt-coupled, an optical coupling loss of approximately 30 dB may occur. Therefore, to increase the optical coupling efficiency between the optical fiber (F) and the optical waveguide (W) of the base substrate (S), the core of the optical fiber (F) (a central region with a relatively high refractive index including the core containing the centrifugal portion of the optical fiber F and the cladding surrounding the core) and the optical waveguide (W, Si waveguide) of the base substrate (S) forming optical coupling with the optical fiber (F) can be optically aligned. Additionally, between the optical fiber (F) and the optical waveguide (W) of the base substrate (S), a mode matching structure such as an inverted taper structure or an optical lens structure can be used to reduce optical mismatch and facilitate mode matching. A mode-matching structure can be introduced.

[0197] FIGS. 23 and FIGS. 24 each illustrate USB communication and Thunderbolt communication as embodiments of different communication protocols to which the optical waveguide network (WN) of the present invention can be applied.

[0198] In this specification, a one-to-one or one-to-many connection between a display source and a display sink of HDMI or DisplayPort is exemplarily described as a type in which signal distribution or mapping is performed by an optical waveguide network (WN) connecting a plurality of input ports (INP) and a plurality of output ports (OUTP). However, the optical waveguide network (WN) according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied not only to the transmission of HDMI or DisplayPort including a video signal or a video signal and an auxiliary signal, but also to various communication protocols such as USB and Thunderbolt. For example, as shown in FIG. 23, it can support super (full) speed transmission lanes (super speed TX1+, TX1-, differential pair 1), super (full) speed reception lanes (super speed RX2+, RX2-, differential pair 2), and high speed transmission lanes (high speed D+, D-, differential pair), and for example, USB communication capable of multi-channel signal transmission (e.g., alternative mode supported by USB-C type - DP Alt Mode- The technical features of the present invention described above can be applied substantially in the same or similarly to Thunderbolt communication, which can support two transmission lanes and two reception lanes, or generally three transmission lanes and one reception lane, as shown in FIG. 24, and which is capable of multi-channel signal transmission.

[0199] Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Explanation of the symbols

[0200] W: Optical waveguide W1: 1st optical waveguide W2: Second optical waveguide WN: Optical waveguide network S: Base board S1, S2: First and second surfaces of the base substrate CS: Coupler Switch INP: Input Port OUTP: Output port b1, b2: 1st and 2nd coupling control bits PS: Phase transition section CP: Coupling section MOC: Movable Coupler F: Optical fiber P1, P2, P3: 1st to 3rd positions of the movable coupler CL: Cladding

Claims

Claim 1 An optical fiber for transmitting an optical signal; an input port forming a transmitting end side and an output port forming a receiving end side opposite to the transmitting end, and an optical waveguide network connecting the input port and the output port, which forms a coupling with the optical fiber; and a coupler switch for controlling the transmission or optical coupling of optical power crossing between adjacent first and second optical waveguides forming the optical waveguide network, wherein, by controlling the coupling efficiency between the first and second optical waveguides from an electrical input, the coupler switch for implementing the transmission of different optical powers, such as a through or bar state in which there is substantially no crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides, a splitting or dividing or partial coupling state corresponding to partial remaining and partial crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides, and a drop or cross state corresponding to total crossing of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides; wherein the first optical waveguide comprises a pair of a first-1 optical waveguide and a first-2 optical waveguide, and the second optical waveguide comprises a second-1 optical waveguide and A photonics circuit comprising a pair of 2-2 optical waveguides, wherein the transmission of optical power crossing between the 1-1 optical waveguide and the 2-1 optical waveguide and the transmission of optical power crossing between the 1-2 optical waveguide and the 2-2 optical waveguide are controlled together from the same coupling switch. Claim 2 A photonics circuit according to claim 1, wherein the input port comprises a grating coupler that forms a grating coupling with the optical fiber. Claim 3 A photonics circuit according to paragraph 2, wherein the grating coupler provides optical coupling from the core of a relatively wide optical fiber to the core of a relatively narrow optical waveguide. Claim 4 A photonics circuit according to paragraph 2, wherein the optical fiber forms a vertical fiber coupling positioned in a downwardly inclined position toward the grating coupler; or forms a horizontal fiber coupling positioned parallel to the grating coupler, wherein an inclined surface for internal total reflection toward the grating coupler is formed at the end of the optical fiber. Claim 5 A photonics circuit according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide network connects an input port and an output port formed on the mutually facing first and second edge sides of a base substrate on which the optical waveguide network is formed, and the first and second optical waveguides include a coupling section extending parallel to a relatively short distance position while extending from the input port toward the output port, and a phase transition section extending parallel to a relatively long distance position. Claim 6 A photonics circuit according to claim 5, characterized in that, in the phase transition section, a coupler switch is formed on at least one of the first and second optical waveguides to apply an external electric field and set a voltage that induces a phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides. Claim 7 A photonics circuit according to claim 6, wherein the optical power transmission or optical coupling efficiency crossing between the first and second optical waveguides in the coupling section is formed differentially according to the phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides caused by the voltage set from the coupler switch in the phase transition section. Claim 8 A photonics circuit according to claim 6, wherein the coupler switch receives first and second coupler control bits for applying different three levels of voltage to cause different degrees of phase difference or phase mismatch between the first and second optical waveguides in order to implement the transmission of different optical powers between the first and second optical waveguides, such as through without crossing, partial remaining and partial crossing, and full crossing. Claim 9 A photonics circuit according to claim 8, wherein, depending on the voltage set from the coupler switch, i) the transmission of a drop or cross of optical power corresponding to a full cross of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port is implemented as a zero voltage is set from the coupler switch; ii) the transmission of through or bar optical power with substantially no cross of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port is implemented as a maximum voltage is set from the coupler switch; and iii) the transmission of a dividing optical power corresponding to a partial remaining and partial cross of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port is implemented as a voltage between the zero voltage and the maximum voltage is set from the coupler switch. Claim 10 In claim 8, at bit 0 of the first and second coupler control bits, the transmission of optical power in a drop or cross corresponding to a full cross of optical power is implemented while achieving phase matching between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port; at bit 1 of the first coupler control bit and bit 0 of the second coupler control bit, the transmission of optical power in a diving or partial coupling state corresponding to a partial remaining and partial cross of optical power is implemented while achieving phase mismatch that blocks partial transmission of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port; and at bit 1 of the first and second coupler control bits, through or where there is substantially no transmission of optical power while achieving phase mismatch that blocks full transmission of optical power between the first and second optical waveguides from the input port to the output port. A photonics circuit characterized by implementing a bar state. Claim 11 A photonics circuit according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide network is an NxN optical waveguide network that maps N input ports and N output ports to each other, the first-1 optical waveguide and the second-1 optical waveguide are optical waveguides that extend adjacently between two different input ports among N input ports and two different output ports among N output ports, the first-2 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide are optical waveguides that extend adjacently between another two different input ports among N input ports and another two different output ports among N output ports, and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguide and the second-1 optical waveguide and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide are controlled together from the same coupler switch. Claim 12 A photonics circuit according to claim 11, wherein the pair of the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide, and the pair of the second-1 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide, connect an input port connected to the same display source and an output port connected to the same display sink. Claim 13 A photonics circuit according to claim 12, wherein the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide transmit an image signal containing image data and an auxiliary signal containing auxiliary data between the same display source and the same display sink, and the second-1 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide transmit an image signal containing another image data and an auxiliary signal containing another auxiliary data between another same display source and another same display sink. Claim 14 A photonics circuit according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide network comprises a coupler switch including a movable coupler that connects between an input port and an output port formed on each of the first and second edge sides that intersect at one corner of a base substrate on which the optical waveguide network is formed, and implements an advance / retreat operation in an approach direction toward the intersection point of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide or a retreat direction away from the intersection point of the first optical waveguide and the second optical waveguide, so as to control the transmission of optical power or optical coupling efficiency that intersects between the first optical waveguide connected to the input port and the second optical waveguide connected to the output port. Claim 15 A photonics circuit according to claim 14, wherein the movable coupler comprises: i) implementing through or bar optical power transmission with substantially no cross of optical power between a first waveguide connected to an input port and a second waveguide connected to an output port at a first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides; ii) implementing drop or cross optical power transmission corresponding to a full cross of optical power between a first waveguide connected to an input port and a second waveguide connected to an output port at a third position closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides; and iii) implementing splitting or partial coupling state optical power transmission corresponding to a partial remaining and partial cross of optical power at a second position between a first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides and a third position closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides. Claim 16 A photonics circuit according to claim 15, wherein the coupler switch receives first and second coupler control bits for applying three different levels of control voltage, such that the movable coupler is set from the first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides to the third position closest thereto. Claim 17 A photonics circuit according to claim 16, wherein at bit 0 of the first and second coupler control bits, the movable coupler is set to a first position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides, at bit 1 of the first coupler control bit and bit 0 of the second coupler control bit, the movable coupler is set to a second position furthest from the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides, and at bit 1 of the first and second coupler control bits, the movable coupler is set to a third position closest to the intersection point of the first and second optical waveguides. Claim 18 A photonics circuit according to claim 14, wherein the movable coupler comprises: a first coupling rib extending parallel to the first optical waveguide to form an evanescent coupling with the first optical waveguide; and a second coupling rib extending parallel to the second optical waveguide to form an evanescent coupling with the second optical waveguide. Claim 19 A photonics circuit according to claim 14, characterized in that the evanescent field leaking between the first optical waveguide and the movable coupler has an amplitude that decreases from the first optical waveguide toward the movable coupler, and the evanescent field leaking between the second optical waveguide and the movable coupler has an amplitude that decreases from the movable coupler toward the second optical waveguide. Claim 20 A photonics circuit according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide network is an NxN optical waveguide network that maps N input ports and N output ports to each other, and includes N first-1 optical waveguides and first-2 optical waveguides connected to the input ports, and N second-1 optical waveguides and second-2 optical waveguides connected to the output ports, wherein the flow of optical power crossing between the first-1 optical waveguides and the second-1 optical waveguides and the flow of optical power crossing between the first-2 optical waveguides and the second-2 optical waveguides are controlled together by the same coupler switch. Claim 21 A photonics circuit according to claim 20, wherein the pair of the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide, and the pair of the second-1 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide, connect an input port connected to the same display source and an output port connected to the same display sink. Claim 22 A photonics circuit according to claim 21, wherein the first-1 optical waveguide and the first-2 optical waveguide transmit an image signal including image data from the same display source and an auxiliary signal including auxiliary data, and the second-1 optical waveguide and the second-2 optical waveguide transmit an image signal including image data directed toward the same display sink and an auxiliary signal including auxiliary data. Claim 23 A photonics circuit according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide network is a 2Nx2N optical waveguide network that maps 2N input ports and 2N output ports to each other, wherein the input ports and display sources form a 2:1 connection so that video signals and auxiliary signals output from N display sources are input to the 2N input ports, and the output ports and display sinks form a 2:1 connection so that video signals and auxiliary signals are output to N display sinks to the 2N output ports, and wherein, according to a control signal applied to the coupler switch, a pair of video signals and auxiliary signals input through an input port connected to the same display source is routed or distributed toward an output port connected to the same display sink, so as to implement the transmission of different optical power between adjacent first and second optical waveguides forming an optical waveguide network between the input ports and output ports. Claim 24 A photonics circuit according to claim 23, characterized in that the image signal is transmitted at a relatively high data transmission rate and the auxiliary signal is transmitted at a relatively low data transmission rate. Claim 25 A photonics circuit according to claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide forming the optical waveguide network provides at least two communication channels of different wavelength ranges. Claim 26 A photonics circuit according to claim 25, wherein the optical waveguide forming the optical waveguide network has a profile of optical gain or optical loss having a full-width at half maximum (FWHM) that is attenuated to half the peak value of the center wavelength band from a center wavelength band forming a single peak toward both sides, and the optical waveguide transmits different optical signals of wavelength bands spaced apart from each other with respect to a wavelength separation band that considers a resolution for separation between different wavelength bands forming different communication channels to prevent cross-talk between them within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM). Claim 27 A photonics circuit according to claim 26, characterized in that different optical signals transmitted together through the optical waveguide include optical signals of different transmission speeds. Claim 28 A photonics circuit according to claim 27, wherein different optical signals transmitted together through the optical waveguide include a first optical signal transmitted at a relatively high speed and a second optical signal transmitted at a relatively low speed, and in the optical gain or optical loss profile of the optical waveguide, the wavelength range of the first optical signal is relatively adjacent to a center wavelength range having a peak value and has a low attenuation rate, and the wavelength range of the second optical signal is relatively far from the center wavelength range having a peak value and has a high attenuation rate. Claim 29 A photonics circuit according to claim 26, wherein the resolution for separation between different wavelength bands forming the different communication channels corresponds to the resolution of a wavelength selection filter for separating optical signals of different wavelength bands transmitted from the same optical waveguide, or the resolution of the wavelength selection filter plus a margin tolerance. Claim 30 A photonics circuit according to claim 26, wherein the optical waveguide forming the optical waveguide network transmits together four different optical signals of different wavelength ranges spaced apart from each other by a wavelength separation band within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM). Claim 31 A photonics circuit according to claim 30, wherein four different optical signals transmitted together through the optical waveguide form a first high-speed channel and a second high-speed channel transmitted at a relatively high speed, and a first low-speed channel and a second low-speed channel transmitted at a relatively low speed, and in the optical gain or optical loss profile of the optical waveguide, the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first and second high-speed channels has a low attenuation rate relatively adjacent to a center wavelength range having a peak value, and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first and second low-speed channels has a high attenuation rate relatively far apart from a center wavelength range having a peak value. Claim 32 A photonics circuit according to claim 31, wherein the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first and second high-speed channels is assigned to a position symmetric to each other with respect to the center wavelength range having the peak value, and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first and second low-speed channels is assigned to a position symmetric to each other with respect to the center wavelength range having the peak value. Claim 33 A photonics circuit according to claim 26, wherein the optical waveguide forming the optical waveguide network transmits together three different optical signals of different wavelength ranges spaced apart from each other by a wavelength separation band within the wavelength range forming the full-width at half maximum (FWHM). Claim 34 A photonics circuit according to claim 33, wherein three different optical signals transmitted together through the optical waveguide form a first and second high-speed channel transmitted at a relatively high speed and a low-speed channel transmitted at a relatively low speed, and in the optical gain or optical loss profile of the optical waveguide, the wavelength band of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel is closest to the center wavelength band having a peak value and has the lowest attenuation rate, the wavelength band of the optical signal assigned to the low-speed channel is furthest from the center wavelength band having a peak value and has the highest attenuation rate, and the wavelength band of the optical signal assigned to the first high-speed channel is farther from the center wavelength band having a peak value than the wavelength band of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel, but closer to the wavelength band of the optical signal assigned to the low-speed channel and has an intermediate attenuation rate. Claim 35 A photonics circuit according to claim 34, wherein the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first high-speed channel, the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel, and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the low-speed channel are assigned at positions asymmetric to each other with respect to the center wavelength range having the peak value, and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the second high-speed channel and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the low-speed channel are assigned to a wavelength range of one region among the left half region and the right half region centered on the center wavelength range having the peak value, and the wavelength range of the optical signal assigned to the first high-speed channel is assigned to a wavelength range of the other region among the left half region and the right half region centered on the center wavelength range having the peak value.

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